This episode of Highest Aspirations features Sarah Nandi, Alaina Peterson, and Thomas Hekma—former educators who now work at Ellevation—sharing how their classroom experiences shape the way they support educators across the country.

Tune in to hear how their journeys from teaching multilingual learners to working in edtech help them build tools and resources that are relevant, empathetic, and grounded in real classroom needs. Learn how they stay connected to what matters most for teachers and students, and how their roles at Ellevation allow them to amplify the impact they once made in a single school or district.

Listen to the full episode here, and find resources referenced in the conversation below.

Key questions we address:

1. How do former educators draw on their classroom experience to support multilingual learners in new roles outside of schools?
2. What challenges do educators face when trying to implement tools or strategies designed by people who haven’t been in the classroom?
3. How can staying connected to schools and teachers ensure that education technology and resources remain relevant and impactful?

For additional episode and community resources:

• Download the transcript here.
• For additional free resources geared toward supporting English learners, ⁠visit our blog.